Asthma Care

Asthma can be triggered by many factors, and the most common triggers are viral infections, exercise, allergies, infection to upper and lower airways, gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD), exposure to different irritants (perfume, scented candles, etc.), smoking (including secondhand smoke), and sometimes stress. Allergy is the trigger for most asthma; 80% of children who have asthma have allergies, and up to 40% of adults who have asthma have allergies. Allergy evaluation is an important step in evaluating asthma.

The goals of asthma treatment are to control and prevent symptoms; this can be accomplished by avoiding known triggers, and strict adherence to medication schedules.

What we provide in our office is evaluation for the severity of asthma, identification of triggers, educating our patients about their inhalers, and how to monitor their symptoms at home. An asthma diagnosis is established by one’s clinical history, response to medication, and spirometry studies (we perform these in office, sometimes with exercise). The goal of treatment in any asthmatic patient is to achieve a quality of life where a person can reach his personal goal without asthma being a hindrance.

Learn more at these trusted resources:

• American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Clinical Immunology
• American College of Allergy and Asthma
• American Lung Association